Beschreibung:

NAPOLEON I ( Emperor of France , 1804-1821). MANUSCRIPT INVENTORY OF THE FRENCH CROWN JEWELS, 'Inventaire General des Diamans et Roses Pierres Precieuses et Perles Montes ou non Montes composant le Tresor de la Couronne', Paris, 15 May 1811 , with two supplements dated 23 April 1812 and 8 October 1813 , signed by Barthelemi Alphonse Lecoulteux de Canteleu, Auditor and Inspector General of Crown Property, the Crown Jeweller Bernard Armand Marguerite, François-Regnault Nitot and other jewellers and officials, the manuscript written in brown ink, comprising a title page and preface of 4 pages folio, and the Inventory, each of the three sections including a table of contents, 170 pages written on 88 leaves (410 x 285mm.), contemporary red morocco, gilt titles (numeration slightly shaved, stitching weak). An important and historic document, showing the exact state of the Crown Jewels at the start of the Empire and including Napoleon's acquisitions in 1805 and subsequently, on his marriage to Marie Louise in 1810 and up to October 1813. The Crown Jewels, which had suffered irreparable loss during the Revolution, some melted down or stolen, or the stones used in various transactions by the Directory, were magnificently restored by Napoleon. He recovered those stones which could be identified and was meticulous concerning their administration. In 1810 he instructed Count Daru, Intendant General of the Household, to draw up an inventory. The result is a model of precision. Provenances are given, showing which stones were in the Treasury at the start of the Empire and which were later acquired from jewellers. Weights (expressed in Karatts), dimensions and value are given. Each stone is described in detail, including the famous Regent diamond, the finest in the world, originally purchased for the Crown in 1717 by the Duke of Orleans, which Napoleon had recovered from Holland and regarded as a talisman, 'un Brillant connu sous le nom de Régent, de forme carré arrondi, de bonne eau, ayant une glace assez grande partant d'un coin et parallelle au filletit; une seconde glace partant du filletit et remontant sur la grande facette lozange, pesant cent trente six karatt estimé six millions', with a note that Monsieur Gibert has mounted it in the guard of the Emperor's sword. Unset stones and pearls are classified separately from those mounted in jewels. The latter are divided into two categories, those for the use of the Emperor and those for the Empress. Napoleon's jewels - his sword, hat button and braid, shoulder knot, insignia of the Légion d'Honneur, the Iron Crown (known as the Crown of Charlemagne) and coronation regalia, his shoe and garter buckles and suite of dress buttons, 4227 diamonds in all, are valued at 7,505,103 francs and 87 centimes. The information offered by the Inventory about the splendid series of parures created by Nitot, Napoleon's favourite jeweller, for Marie Louise conjures up visions of the magnificence of the Court, including a dress crown topped with an eagle, the Imperial Diadem containing 1514 diamonds, hair ornaments of pearls and diamonds, girandole earrings, necklaces fringed with pendants, and jewelled belts. The supplement of 1812, directed by the Duke of Cadore, shows her later purchases and the remodelling of her turquoise and ruby parures. The supplement of 1813 refers to the acquisition of the famous parure set with 2275 pearls and 24 antique cameos depicting classical subjects, originally in Louis XV's personal collection and removed in 1808 from the former royal collections housed in the Imperial Library. No attempt is made to value this as it comprises unique works of art. It passed to Louis XVIII at the Bourbon Restoration and its subsequent history is unknown. By October 1813 Napoleon had also had the ceremonial sword remodelled, the Regent being moved from the guard to the top of the handle. The value of the Crown Jewels at the date of this second supplement is 14,393,881 francs d'or and 60 cen